Govt introduces direct credit system to facilitate pensioners

ISLAMABAD: The National Assembly was informed on Thursday that that the federal government has introduced Direct Credit System for payment of pension to the pensioners.

Parliamentary Secretary for Finance Rana Muhammad Afzal Khan told the House that that pension amount will be deposited is deposited directly in the pensioner’s bank accounts and can be withdrawn from any scheduled bank.

He said that total foreign loans to Pakistan during the last three years were $19.723 billion out of which $2.71 billion were disbursed to provinces.

Parliamentary Secretary for Planning and Development Dr. Ibadullah told the House that more than Rs3 trillion have been incurred for human development across the country during the last four years.

This included Rs151 billion rupees for water supply and sanitation, Rs2064 billion for education, Rs754 billion for health, and Rs39 billion for population planning since January 2013.

He said the long-term road map for socio-economic development is prepared by the Planning Commission through extensive consultations with provincial governments and people from all walks of life.

He said that social capital and human development is the first pillar and presents a comprehensive approach to addressing human and social development gaps under Vision 2025.

Parliamentary Secretary for Interior Muhammad Afzal Khan Dhandla told the House that a number of steps have been taken to control the smuggling of goats and cows to Iran and Afghanistan.

He said that patrolling has been enhanced and the smuggling routes to Afghanistan have been blocked by developing 453-kilometer long ditch on Pakistan-Afghan border.

He said during the last year efforts to smuggle 3200 animals to Afghanistan were foiled due to effective measures by the government.

Replying to a question, he said that computerization of land record of Islamabad Capital Territory has been prepared worth Rs151 million which will be completed within two years. This has been submitted to Planning, Development and Reforms division for approval.

Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Shaikh Aftab Ahmad told the House that the Earthquake Reconstruction and Rehabilitation Authority (ERRA) carried out huge task after 2005 earthquake.

He said six hundred thousand houses and seven hundred schools affected by the quake have been rebuilt by ERRA so far, and work is underway for rehabilitation of one thousand schools.

Two bills were introduced in the House and moved by Minister for law and Justice Zahid Hamid.

“The Constitution (Twenty-fifth Amendment) Bill, 2017” provides to amend the Constitution of Islamic Republic of Pakistan, and the “The Compulsory Teaching of the Holy Quran Bill, 2017” provides for making compulsory teaching of the Holy Quran to Muslim students in all educational institutions.

The National Assembly passed “The Central Law Officers (Amendment) Bill, 2016”. The bill provides to amend the Central Law Officers Ordinance, 1970.

The House also passed “The Pakistan Climate Change Bill, 2016”. The bill provides to meet Pakistan’s obligations under international conventions and address the effects of climate change.